Judge postpones Ohio priest's soliciting sex trial

CLEVELAND (AP) — A judge has postponed the trial of a priest who was accused of soliciting sex at a Cleveland park and earlier tested positive for HIV.

The judge said Monday he wants to consider whether the charge should remain a felony.

The Rev. James McGonegal (muh-GAHN'-ee-gul) was arrested nearly a year ago after he allegedly solicited a park ranger near downtown Cleveland. He was charged with felony soliciting because he previously tested positive for HIV.

The priest's attorney argues that the felony charge should be tossed out because he says the likelihood of infecting a potential partner is slim.

The Plain Dealer (http://bit.ly/1pWvdRc ) newspaper reports that the defense attorney says medical advancements in HIV treatment have been made since 1996, when Ohio made solicitation by HIV-infected people a felony.

Federal officials' review of the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old black man by a white police officer as he carried an air rifle in an Ohio Wal-Mart remains unfinished as his relatives plan a rally and vigil to mark one year since his death. Get the story.

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